Connor Christensen may still be emerging in the public eye, but he has been a constant presence at regional and national driving competitions, often alongside his father, Ceth Christensen. While Ceth showcased his talents in prestigious step van contests, Connor honed his own skills through keen observation. Now, with the spotlight on him, Connor is set to make his mark at the highly regarded 87th annual National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC), often referred to as the “Super Bowl of Safety.” He will be one of five UPS drivers from Illinois heading to Indianapolis.
In June, Connor secured his place in this elite competition following an impressive performance last year, where he earned the title of Rookie of the Year at the Land of Lincoln’s NTDC qualifier.
Upcoming National Truck Driving Championships
- Participants: Top drivers from state-level competitions across nine distinct categories, all vying for the prestigious Grand Champion title.
- Evaluation Criteria: Competitors face rigorous challenges, including a written examination, detailed vehicle inspections, and real-world driving skills assessments.
- Event Dates: August 21-24
- Location: Indianapolis
As the NTDC date approaches, Connor feels a mix of excitement and nervousness, knowing he will join over 400 of the nation’s best drivers in this intense competition. In an interview with Transport Topics, he shared insights into his rigorous preparations, stating, “doing practice tests at night” and “practicing on the weekends with my dad as my coach” have been crucial to his training.
Throughout the summer, Connor and Ceth dedicated countless hours to perfecting their driving techniques, understanding that teamwork and strategic thinking are key to success in a competition as demanding as this.
A Closer Look at Connor Christensen
- Age: 26
- Hometown: Manhattan, Illinois
- Preferred Vehicle: Step van
- Musical Taste: Country
- Leisure Activity: Golf
- Guilty Pleasure: Hot wings
- Most Unforgettable NTDC Experience: Watching his father secure second place in the step van division in 2022.
Connor has high hopes of finishing in the top five on August 22 in the step van category. He takes immense pride in representing Illinois and UPS among the nation’s elite drivers, all of whom are recognized for their outstanding safety records.
Ceth Christensen remains a vital source of support and guidance for Connor. He has confidence in his son’s ability to excel at the NTDC, which features a challenging driving course, pre-trip inspections, and a comprehensive written test focused on industry protocols. Ceth expressed, “It’s been pretty exciting, not only watching him approach problems differently than I would, but also seeing him take my advice and input and use them to the best of his ability. He’s our kid. We want him to do his best, and we’d love to see him walk away with a trophy — that would be awesome. But we know how tough the competition is. So, it’s exciting. He’s got his eyes open; he’s ready to roll.”
Ceth emphasizes that the NTDC is more than just a competition; it’s a celebration of safety and skill, honoring those who have excelled without incidents over the past year. “We’re all pretty much equal. We’re all doing the same job — out here to have some fun and showcase our skills,” he noted.
This year, UPS proudly has 28 drivers competing at the NTDC, including California’s grand champion, Alejandro Fonseca, who competes with twin trailers. The reigning national grand champion, Gragg Wilson from Nevada, also represented UPS last year.
“It’s pretty cool that our trucking company or trucking industry has something like this to showcase our skills.”
Source: Transport Topics
Image: Transport Topics
